Greg Kloehn, sculptor
Inspired by the structures in the homeless encampments around me in West Oakland, I wanted to make a home in one day for no money. After a week of work and $40 dollars, I had made a home from illegally dumped garbage. Consisting of a box spring mattress, pallets, refrigerator door and camper top, this home boasted such features such as a water cooler, sink, electrical outlet and a crude toilet. Wheels were added to make it a mobile home.
This sat in my studio for months, becoming a storage space for odds and ends. One cold and raining night, Sheila, a local homeless woman, asked me if I had a tarp she could have. I told her "Sorry, I don't have one." and went back inside. As I walked past my home it hit me, "I'll give her this." I ran back out and told her to come back tomorrow and I would have a home for her. She looked a little confused but nodded and said she would come back. I cleaned out the home and got it ready. Sheila and her husband Oscar, came the next day. They looked surprised and happy. I gave them the key, a bottle of champagne and watched in joy as they pushed it down the street. I started building another one immediately. I have made and given away 20 homes so far. All homes are made from found objects, nails, screws, glue and wheels.
Inspired by the structures in the homeless encampments around me in West Oakland, I wanted to make a home in one day for no money. After a week of work and $40 dollars, I had made a home from illegally dumped garbage. Consisting of a box spring mattress, pallets, refrigerator door and camper top, this home boasted such features such as a water cooler, sink, electrical outlet and a crude toilet. Wheels were added to make it a mobile home.
This sat in my studio for months, becoming a storage space for odds and ends. One cold and raining night, Sheila, a local homeless woman, asked me if I had a tarp she could have. I told her "Sorry, I don't have one." and went back inside. As I walked past my home it hit me, "I'll give her this." I ran back out and told her to come back tomorrow and I would have a home for her. She looked a little confused but nodded and said she would come back. I cleaned out the home and got it ready. Sheila and her husband Oscar, came the next day. They looked surprised and happy. I gave them the key, a bottle of champagne and watched in joy as they pushed it down the street. I started building another one immediately. I have made and given away 20 homes so far. All homes are made from found objects, nails, screws, glue and wheels.